Premier Wall says racism isn't Sask. issue alone

He’s condemned racism online, now Premier Brad Wall is making it clear he doesn’t believe the issue is isolated to Saskatchewan.

“I just want to reject the fact that I have seen commentary that it’s somehow is unique, or has a greater presence in our province. Sadly, it has a presence right across the country,” Wall told reporters Tuesday.

Racial tensions have flared since the shooting death of 22-year-old Colten Boushie, a First Nations man, on a farm near Biggar, Sask. earlier this month.

Some of the comments on social media sites were anti-First Nation, while others supported vigilante justice against the suspect in the case.

Wall said he believes young people are thinking in more progressive ways and changing attitudes.  

“They don’t have some of the thoughts perhaps, or thinking, that even our generation did or our parents did,” Wall said. “So I think we should be hopeful about that and continue to focus on young people.”  

The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) Chief Bobby Cameron has called for racism to be addressed in Saskatchewan school curricula.

Wall said he’s open to the idea, citing education as a key part of the solution.

“The school system has been a part of the process, it needs to continue to be a part of the process,” Wall said.

The premier has asked MLA Jennifer Campeau, who is First Nations, to focus on indigenous student achievement and share her story and life experiences.

As for a provincial racism strategy, Wall said he doesn’t know if that’s the answer.

“I’m not sure what program you could do to deal with the other generations that aren’t frankly as enlightened as our kids are,” he said.